Thinkpads Forum

Hello all! I've been lurking for a couple days trying to get all the info I can before I make a purchase.
I've been on the same iBook G4 for the last 6 years, I bought it mostly for music production. Now that I'm at a point in my life where I can focus on what I actually want to do for a living, I need a "new" laptop.

I've more or less settled on a T60 or T61. I know NOT to get a 61 with nvidia before 08/08. Now my main use is gonna be studying for my certs, a little programing, web development and what not. I will not be playing games on it or stuffing it full of music. I just need a solid machine I can dual boot Windows and Linux/BSD and not worry about it falling apart.

What are some thoughts on a T60 vs a T61 for just normal "IT Student" use. And my big question, who can I trust buying from online, TigerDirect, IBM/Lenovo refurb store, ThinkPad Depot. Who has a good rep, who doesnt.

Thanks
SiLy

I use my machine for lab/cert work, too. I have a T60, and I'm currently looking to upgrade due to the memory limitation. Everything else is great, but you effectively only have 3GB max. Go with the T61 and you can use 8GB.

Welcome to the forum.
For your intended needs, both the T60 and T61 series will suffice.
Don't stare yourself blind on 8GB RAM, it's just a 'nice-to-have'.
Almost nobody needs 8GB of RAM unless they do some enormous number crunching all the time.
Apart from that: 8GB RAM costs more than the machine is probably worth!
A T60 or a T61 with 3-4GB is more than sufficient.
Next question: what screen size do you want?
There is: 14.1" and 15" standard (4:3), as well as 14.1" and 15.4" widescreen (16:10).
For programming and web development you'll probably want as much vertical space as possible, so a high(er) resolution is preferable.
Do you need to carry the laptop around or not?
Lastly, what is your budget?

You will find some of the best deals from sellers here on the forum, most of whom have a reputation to lose!
Check out the offerings on our Marketplace forum.
From your sellers above, I would only buy from the Lenovo Outlet (http://outlet.lenovo.com/) or from IBM Certified Pre-owned laptops (http://www-304.ibm.com/shop/americas/co ... ptops.html).

I have a fabulous T61 for sale with a production date of 08/09 (2008/September) and a verified new generation nVidia chip. See here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=104037

Thank you both for your replies. I will check out the marketplace see what i can find. I wont be carrying it around that much. My budget all depends on if and when all my music gear sells, hoping for around $350-$500.

RealBlackStuff- I will get back to you on the one you have for sale as soon as my gear sells to see if it is still available.

~SiLy

RBS, I've got to disagree with you on 8GB not being a big deal. Obviously for most users you're right and I wouldn't argue with you a bit. I love my T60 when I have my general computing hat on.

However, the OP stated that he's using it as an "IT Student". If he ends up running more than a couple VMs he'll start feeling constrained by that 3GB before too long. For example, right now I have my T60 booted into Windows Server 2008 R2. Using Hyper-V I have two VMs running, both Windows 7 Enterprise. One is assigned 1GB of RAM, the other 512MB. Sitting idle, I'm at 2.15GB utilization. As soon as I open any kind of decent app or a server VM, or whatever, I've pegged my physical RAM and the swapfest begins. You don't even want to know what happens when I fire up my Exchange VM...

Sily, with that budget you ought to be able to get something nice that will suit your needs well. Just do your research so you don't have buyer's remorse .

IMHO...anyone who thinks 3G RAM is ok for VMS ....hasnt ever run /not ever used VMS > I have
seen way too many frustrated users on my projects (large govt& banks IT consulting) ....want to throw their DELLS & HP to the wall ...............

T61 (past 0808) is best suggestion(s) they are CHARM and still often outrun any newer "lenovo' stuff out there 14 vs 15 is your choice and or moneys........(add middelton Bios and your ran true SATA11+) ....RBS* is the 'local' expert on these Bios update/mods etc

Cheers , hope this helps

Is it assumed that the refurbs from IBM and Lenovo have any GPU problems fixed? New motherboards perhaps?

~SiLy

No.

However...

IBM gives you a 7-day no questions asked return option and a 90-day warranty that can be extended to one year.

Lenovo Outlet purchases carry a one_year warranty that is not extendable. However, you're not likely to see anything older than T400 there, while IBM stll sells quite a few T60 and T61 machines.